In June 2023, reports confirmed that Hardeep Singh Nijjar, who was an advocate for Sikh independence for a long time, had been killed in a Canadian city. After his death, there has been a divide between the Indian and Canadian governments for various reasons. Nijjar was about 45 years old when he was killed in June 2023, and not only that, he was also a known member of a Sikh movement, which aims at creation of a Sikh homeland, independent of others, popularly termed as Khalistan. Now, Hardeep is at the center of this widening divide between both the countries, namely India and Canada.
Hardeep Singh Nijjar, who has been called as a human rights activist by many Sikh organizations both inside India and outside India, was killed two months ago. Before Hardeep, another Sikh independence activist was also killed in a similar way, and for this reason, there has been a number of theories about these deaths. Another activist who was killed in a similar way was Paramjit Singh Panjwar (from the Khalistan Commando Force), and he was killed in Lahore. Hardeep was killed after 2 unidentified assailants had fired at him on 18th June 2023 in the Canadian city, Surrey, on a Sunday.
Hardeep Singh Nijjar Death Reason
Hardeep Singh Nijjar was shot at from a very close range when he was in the parking lot of a Gurudwara in the Surrey city in Canada. It must be noted that this shooting had taken place in Surrey on 18th June 2023. Hardeep was also seen as a “terrorist”, as he had been a chief of the Khalistan Tiger Force, also known as KTF, and at the same time he was also a part of another banned group, also known as ‘Sikhs for Justice (SFJ)’. In India, Hardeep was “wanted” by the National Investigation (NIA) Agency for a total of 4 cases.
On 18th June 2023, around 08:30 pm in Surrey, 2 assailants came around the parking lot of a Gurudwara where Nijjar was sitting inside a car. At this point, they fired at Hardeep from a close range, and fled the parking lot. This had led to a huge protest by members in his community, as he was seen as a human rights activist by them. In India, Hardeep was seen as a terrorist under the national Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act in 2020, after it was found that he posted photos and videos using social media platforms to spread “hateful speeches” and “insurrectionary imputations”, and was trying to create disharmony in the nation.
Hardeep Singh Nijjar Death Overview
| Name | Hardeep Singh Nijjar |
| Occupation | Plumber |
| Birthplace | Punjab, India |
| Country | Canada |
| Born | 11th October 1977 |
| Death | 18th June 2023 |
| Place of Death | Surrey, Canada |
| Movement | Khalistan |
| Reason of Death | Gunshots |
| Leader | Sikhs for Justice & Khalistan Tiger Force |
| Status | “Wanted” in India |
| Family | Wife & 2 sons |
Hardeep Singh Nijjar Death Case
Hardeep was a KTF chief, who shifted to Canada in 1997 from Bharsinghpura village in Punjab state from Jhalandar. Nijjar lived in Canada with his wife and two sons, and at the same time he also had a plumbing business of his own. At the same time, he was also chosen to head the Surrey Gurudwara Managing Committee. He was also accused to help launch a campaign, namely “Punjab Referendum 2020 for Khalistan”. As he was shot in Canada, Justin Trudeau, the Canadian PM has said in a statement that Canadian authorities are investigating the Indian Government links in the killing of Hardeep Singh Nijjar.
As a result, Justin’s Canadian government has also expelled a high ranking Indian diplomat after KTF Chief Hardeep Singh Nijjar had been shot dead outside a Sikh Cultural Center in Canada. Justin Trudeau has also added that in the G-20 Summit of September 2023, he told the Indian Prime Minister that any involvement of the Indian government would be unacceptable. The Indian Government has rejected these allegations that the killing of Hardeep Singh Nijjar was done by Indian agents “on Canadian Soil”.
Hardeep Singh Nijjar Death Reason & Investigations
As the Canadian Prime Minister coordinates with his allies to investigate the murder of Hardeep Singh Nijjar, the Indian Government has also rejected the allegations. Not only that, Ministry of External Affairs in India has also said that such allegations divert the attention from the Khalistan Movement and its members who are living in Canada, and wants action to be taken against them. After the Canadian Foreign Minister Melanie Joly announced that the head of Indian Intelligence had been expelled, the Indian government also expelled a high-ranking Canadian diplomat, who has been told to leave India within 5 days.
India’s concern has been that “anti-India elements” have been using “Canadian Soil” to “threaten India’s security”. As of September 2023, India has denied any role in the killing of Hardeep Singh Nijjar, who was 45 years old when he was shot dead. He was accused of training terrorists in Vancouver and also was a supporter of the Khalistan Movement. When Hardeep was interviewed by the Vancouver Sun in 2016, he had denied all the allegations and told that he owned a plumbing business.
Hardeep Singh Nijjar Death & International Support
The Five Eyes, which is an intelligence alliance between the countries of Australia, Canada, the US, New Zealand and the UK, has been requested by the Canadian PM to join the investigation of the Indian Government’s involvement in the killing of KTF Chief Hardeep Singh Nijjar.
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But some members including the likes of the United States have refused to be a part of this, as they do not want to take a drastic step in this breach between the two countries as of now.